9
2009 · Directed by Shane Acker
Original language: English
- action
- adventure
- animation
- science fiction
- thriller
The story
When 9 first comes to life, he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world. All humans are gone, and it is only by chance that he discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from fearsome machines that roam the earth intent on their extinction. Despite being the neophyte of the group, 9 convinces the others that hiding will do them no good.
What it’s like
Burlap-textured rag dolls and rusted brass machinery move through a grey, ash-coloured wasteland under a sickly, overcast sky, the palette washed out to dusty sepia and bruised charcoal with flickers of amber lantern light in the ruins. The camera is restless but purposeful, with sweeping crane shots over desolate cityscapes and tight handheld-feeling close-ups on the stitched faces of its small characters, so the scale keeps shifting between vast and intimate. Sound leans on a sombre orchestral score, punctuated by clanks, hisses and the grinding of enormous mechanical hunters, while long stretches of near silence let the wind and debris settle. The vibe is wistful and quietly tense, dystopian melancholy with a thread of hope, suited to a rainy afternoon or a late-night watch when you want something atmospheric and absorbing. Pacing is steady and builds toward sharp, frightening set pieces. Intensity is moderate to high: machine attacks with peril and some violence, a few bloodless but unsettling moments, and dread more than gore. The emotional arc follows a timid newcomer learning courage and loyalty among fragile companions. It suits viewers who enjoy steampunk imagery and bleak landscapes softened by friendship, and who are comfortable with animated darkness aimed at older kids and adults.
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